Tracheotomy in COVID-19 patients: Optimizing patient selection and identifying prognostic indicators.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tracheotomy, through its ability to wean patients off ventilation, can shorten ICU length of stay and in doing so increase ICU bed capacity, crucial for saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, there is a paucity of patient selection criteria and prognosticators to facilitate decision making and enhance precious ICU capacity.

Methods

Prospective study of COVID-19 patients undergoing tracheotomy (n = 12) over a 4-week period (March-April 2020). Association between preoperative and postoperative ventilation requirements and outcomes (ICU stay, time to decannulation, and death) were examined.

Results

Patients who sustained FiO₂  ≤ 50% and PEEP ≤ 8 cm H₂ O in the 24 hours pretracheotomy exhibited a favorable outcome. Those whose

SUBMITTER: Stubington TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7280616 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature